KSrelief Supervisor Advocates For Stronger WHO Partnership For Humanitarian Aid

King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief) Supervisor General Dr. Abdullah Al Rabeeah has called for innovative approaches to enhance the partnership with the World Health Organization (WHO). Speaking at the 77th World Health Assembly in Geneva, Switzerland, Al Rabeeah emphasized the need to improve and coordinate response efforts, ensuring efficient resource allocation and enabling community resilience.

During a session titled "From Crisis to Opportunity: Health in the Eastern Mediterranean Region," Al Rabeeah expressed gratitude to WHO for addressing humanitarian crises in the Eastern Mediterranean, including conflicts, migration, and economic instability. He highlighted Saudi Arabia's significant contributions to alleviating the suffering of millions, particularly children, women, and other vulnerable groups.

Al Rabeeah noted that Saudi Arabia's total humanitarian assistance to the WHO Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean has exceeded $1.4 billion. Recently, KSrelief announced a $500 million contribution to polio eradication efforts over the next five years. The center provides comprehensive health treatment and support services during humanitarian emergencies.

KSrelief has implemented various volunteer programs in the medical sector as part of its relief and humanitarian initiatives. These include 298 projects worth over $46 million in the Eastern Mediterranean region. Al Rabeeah urged all parties in conflict areas to ensure safe and effective delivery of aid, highlighting that attacks on humanitarian workers exacerbate suffering.

He cited Gaza Strip and Sudan as examples where restricted access has led to severe shortages of essential supplies. Al Rabeeah stressed that KSrelief works closely with partners to overcome challenges and ensure aid delivery under difficult circumstances. For instance, during the siege of Taiz in Yemen, KSrelief used airdrops and camels to deliver medical supplies to remote locations.

In Gaza, KSrelief has managed to provide assistance despite significant challenges. Al Rabeeah called for addressing restrictions to save lives, especially those of vulnerable groups like children, women, and the elderly. He urged the international community to protect health facilities and humanitarian workers and for authorities to adhere to international humanitarian law.

Al Rabeeah also advocated for involving healthcare workers in policy-making processes to leverage their expertise in shaping effective healthcare strategies. He emphasized the importance of international collaboration in ensuring access to humanitarian assistance and medical care for all those in need.

The session concluded with a call for decisive action from the international community to protect health facilities and ensure safe delivery of aid amidst ongoing conflicts.

With inputs from SPA